A YOUNG apprentice is making a name for herself in the financial field and proving that age is no barrier to success.
Amy Pridding, who is 21, has been shortlisted for not one but two apprentice awards this year after joining AJ Bell, which is one of the UK’s largest investment platforms, when she was 18 and had just completed her A Levels.
Amy, who lives in Warrington town centre, was offered a place on AJ Bell’s degree apprenticeship programme and she’s spent the last three-and-a-half years working for the company as well as studying for a digital user experience (UX) degree.
She has also reached the finals of the Tech Industry Gold National Apprentice Awards 2023 in the business contribution category and is one of four nominees out of 400 to be shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year for tech, digital and creative, in the North West Apprenticeship Awards 2023.
Amy started her apprentice degree programme at AJ Bell after she finished her A Levels
The awards ceremonies are due to take place at the beginning of February during National Apprenticeship Week with the Tech Industry Gold finalists making their way to London on Tuesday, February 7 and the apprentices who have been shortlisted for the regional awards meeting in Mediacity on Thursday, February 9.
When she finished her A Levels, Amy felt full time university wasn’t for her so when she read about the AJ Bell degree apprentice scheme on the government website, she was determined to earn a place.
Amy said: “The application process was vigorous with online tests and a writing task as well as presentations, a group assessment and finally one to one interviews – it was pretty intense!
“My role at AJ Bell consists of developing systems and processes that make every customer’s experience easier, more efficient and more enjoyable.
“My degree is with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and they encourage apprentices to do their assignments on their own projects at work, ensuring they get the chance to dive in at the deep end and undertake critical work tasks in a learning environment.”
Amy gave a presentation in front of dozens of attendees at Manchester Tech Festival
Amy clearly loves her job and her studies and being able to mix the two, thriving in the workplace environment at Exchange Quay and in the classrooms and lecture theatres on campus in Manchester city centre.
Her hard work and determination over the past three-and-a-half years has now secured her a nomination and a place on the final shortlists in two apprentice award schemes and she couldn’t be happier.
Amy said: “It’s amazing to be nominated for an award never mind being shortlisted for one and I feel honoured to have my work recognised alongside the other nominees for two awards.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating the outstanding achievement of all tech degree apprentices at both events next month.”
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